Overview & Reviews

A relative newcomer to the American marketplace, Hyundai is a Korean automaker with a product line that has improved greatly over the past decade. Hyundai cars and SUVs provide a high level of content for an affordable price, and are currently backed by one of the industry's longest warranties.

In 1947, Chung Ju Yung founded the Hyundai Civil Engineering Company. Mere months later, the outfit was bombed in the Korean War. However, the company regained its footing to distinguish itself as one of Korea's leading construction enterprises during the 1950s.

By the late 1960s, Chung had turned his attention to the automobile industry. The Korean government at that time believed that it made more sense to import vehicles than produce them domestically, and had made its opinion known. Still, Chung opted to follow his own convictions, and in 1967, he founded the Hyundai Motor Company.

The company quickly established an alliance with one of the industry's oldest automakers, signing a two-year contract with Ford in 1968 to share assembly technology. Hyundai's first car, the Cortina, was created from that partnership. The manufacturer's first car to be designed and built in Korea was the compact Pony (although the car was based on Japanese technology courtesy of Mitsubishi). The vehicle made its debut in 1974, and the following year Hyundai began exporting it to overseas markets.

Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the introduction of its subcompact Excel. The car was an immediate hit, with its supreme affordability being a primary selling point. More than 100,000 Excels were sold stateside in the first seven months. By 1988, Hyundai had begun to produce cars using its own technology. The midsize Sonata was the first fruit borne of this endeavor.

Unfortunately, Hyundai's nascent image was soon tarnished by the poor durability and reliability of its vehicles. Sales tanked. However, rather than abandon the American market in the '90s, Hyundai chose to invest heavily in new product designs and improvements in overall quality and reliability. In 1998, Hyundai also purchased Kia, another Korean automaker, to expand its business and economies of scale.

It all started to pay off by the start of the new millennium, with the 2001 Elantra in particular showing massive improvements in overall quality, reliability and performance. Other models followed suit and the desirability of Hyundai cars increased sharply. Providing an extraordinarily long warranty period didn't hurt either.

Today's lineup is indicative of Hyundai's complete turnaround. Hyundai has a vehicle for nearly every segment, including the economical Accent subcompact, the popular Elantra compact, the midsize Sonata sedan (also available as a hybrid), sporty Genesis and Veloster coupes and a couple of stylish SUVs. Hyundai has also expanded into the entry-level and premium-level luxury sedan markets with its Genesis and Equus sedans. Having gone from being the butt of late-night TV jokes in the 1980s to a well-respected manufacturer of quality vehicles, Hyundai has created a very inspiring rags-to-riches story.

User Reviews:

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  My New Elantras Name is Bumpy - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By TV - February 28 - 9:10 am

  Like so many other reviews that I just read, I have my own suspension nightmare. How can a brand new car have such a rough ride. My old 1994 Chevy Cavailer is a much smoother drive. Why would they build a car that is so unpleasant to drive. When I tested the car, I convinced myself that the bumpy ride was all in my head. On my way home from purchasing my Elantra, I wanted to make a U-turn back to the dealership. Please do not make the same mistake I did. Test the car with close attention. If you feel too many bumps...run away fast...or youll regret it big time...I truly wish there would be a recall on 2010 Elantras due to a poor suspension performance...

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  Not the wisest choice - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Genovese - February 25 - 7:28 am

  I purchased this car a little over a year ago. Ive had issues with the engine misfiring, oddly enough after Ive had oil changes from the dealer. I even had one service tech suggest that E85 gas (which I dont use) could have something to do with it. My wife owned a 2002 Accent and had issues with the engine and exhaust system. The fuel economy is not what it claims to be either. I will never buy another Hyundai. In fact, Ill be trading this one in soon for another companys equivalent.

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  Dont Beleive Hyundai in what you hear - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pilgrim - February 16 - 7:48 am

  Bought car for Warranty, price, & mileage. 4 cylinder, complained about 17 mpg from date of purchase. Always got brush off about repair issues. Had 2 recalls. At 10200 miles rear brakes completely wore out. This may be why I got bad mileage.

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  Over rated-low trade-in/resale value - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By wxyz - February 10 - 2:50 pm

  Soft Suspension. Check all 4 corners manually for bounce and excessive rebound. Michelin tires wore out at 28K miles. Excessive suspension noise on bumps or holes. Excessive lean on cornering or curves and excessive front end dip on stopping. Very low trade-in allowance. Dealer says warranty does not cover tires, struts or shocks.

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  Roughest ride ever - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By RustyArm - February 1 - 2:49 pm

  We live in the northern mid-west with rough winter roads but the ride in my new car is the worst I have ever experienced. You feel every bump not once but twice (front and back). If you like the feel of riding a go-cart this is the car for you. The suspension is so tight I have a head/stomach ache every time I am in the car. It is impossible to drink any beverage while moving. It has been years since we bought a new car and I am heartsick to be stuck with one that is so uncomfortable. Mileage is only at 27mpg. We also own a 2009 Toyota Corolla - there is no comparison to the quality of the ride. The dealership says this is the way they are built. This will be the last Hyundai!

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  I do not like my car anymore - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Cathy - December 31 - 2:29 pm

  Although I havent had any major mechanical problems with the car, Ive just recently had to have the roof repainted at my own expense because the paint was flaking off. The paint warranty had expired at 36000 miles, but a car with only 48000 miles should NOT need to be re-painted. This is obviously a factory defect. Also, the car is VERY uncomfortable to drive. The seats dont provide good support, and even the steering wheel is uncomfortable. My rear brakes have squealed almost since day one, but just in reverse, so I havent had them checked. But after reading the other reviews I see rear brakes are a common problem. I want to unload the car as soon as possible if I can get enough for it.

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  Not Worth the Money - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By HyundaiOwnernMD - December 29 - 2:25 pm

  I would steer clear of this vehicle. Since day one the car vibrates excessively and makes loud noises when driving at speeds of 55 mph or higher, regardless if A/C is on or off. Took it to dealer where I purchased and they told me "All of the Hyundai Elantras due the same thing". Have also been told its because its a 4 cyl, yet other 4 cyl vehicles Ive had ride a lot smoother and quieter than this vehicle. Not to mention the exterior "looks at" something and gets a dent. Save your money. Not worth the annoyance.

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  Roller coaster ride / Unsafe to drive - 2008 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Charley - December 19 - 2:30 am

  1. During the week of April 1, I discovered the car was producing a bumpy ruff, roller coaster ride; tossing me up and down, back and forth and side to side. The seat was not absorbing the shock nor was it adjusting for my comfort. Then came the shocker: the cars right back wheel seemed to slide to the right, bumped, then righted itself. I was instantly knocked to the right and then back to center. This action takes less than a second and seems to happen on an uneven indentation, ridge or something in the road. This happens out of the blue and I do not feel safe. I notified Robert Lawson of my unhappiness with the seat and the ruff ride.

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  Dont buy - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Richard - December 7 - 2:06 pm

  First week of ownership 240 mi odo week stranded in 100 dregree heat as fuel pump went. Gas mileage citi/hw 20-24mpg - very poor and I drive conservatively. Fog lights and back-up lights provide no added vision - too small. Lots of manufacturing defects, needs alignment, lights pointed down, steering column rubs and makes noise. Too bad as I would have bought 2 more and my neighbors also but not now after this disappointing experience. I recommend you buy Toyota or Honda - both of which Ive owned w/o ever seeing the dealer in the warrant period - and the Toyota was the first year model (Tracel 1990) Now have 800 miles on vehicle and still not improvement in gas mileage.

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  Crap on wheels - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ash - December 1 - 12:25 am

  This car has been to the shop once a week since I bought it. There is a squeak in the front wheel and they cant find the source. The visor broke, the power window broke, the manual shift broke, very poor quality. I will not own another Hyundai. I plan on trading this off as soon as the warranty is up.